Page 294 - 2018 Defense White Paper

Section 1 Inter-Korean Military Confidence

Building and Arms Control

Although the Cold War ended over a quarter century ago, military standoff has persisted, and peace has
remained unstable on the Korean Peninsula. The ROK government is striving to build a peaceful Korean
Peninsula without danger of war and nuclear weapons through the development of sustainable inter-Korean
relations. The MND is actively taking steps to prevent accidental military clashes and ease tensions between
the two Koreas while maintaining a robust defense posture. The MND will continue its efforts towards military
confidence building and pursue arms control in parallel with the progress in denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula.

1. Easing Military Tensions and Confidence Building

| Policy Background | Although the Cold War ended over a quarter century ago, military
standoff persisted, and peace remained unstable on the Korean Peninsula until 2017. Despite
strong international sanctions and pressure, North Korea kept up its nuclear and missile
provocations, threatening peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. On September 3, 2017,

North Korea pushed ahead with its sixth nuclear test. Following a test launch of an Intercontinental
Ballistic Missile (ICBM) on November 29, North Korea announced its “completion of nuclear
capability.” Given the security situation, a fundamental strategy to enhance inter-Korean relations

to establish permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula was required to overcome the vicious cycle
of provocations and sanctions. Accordingly, on April 27, 2018, the leaders of South and North
Korea declared the beginning of a “new era of peace” through the ‘Panmunjom Declaration.’

| Progress of the ROK Government’s North Korea Policy | Since its inauguration in May
2017, Moon Jae-in’s administration has accelerated its efforts to establish permanent peace on the

Korean Peninsula and enhance inter-Korean relations in a comprehensive and groundbreaking
manner against the backdrop of a strong and robust defense. In 2017, in spite of unrelenting
provocations by North Korea, President Moon made an overture during a speech delivered

292 Chapter 7 Military Assurance for the Establishment of a Peace Regime on the Korean Peninsula